DTE Energy is about a third of the way complete installing 90,000 new meters in St. Clair County.

The new meters allow customers to track their amount of energy usage with real-time data, allowing them to manage their energy usage more closely.

The change will allow for more accurate bills rather than continued estimated bills, according to the energy company.

The meters also allow DTE Energy workers to remotely read, connect and disconnect the meters.

Randi Berris, DTE Energy spokeswoman, said customers will not be charged for the new meter installation.

“These meters don’t change the rate that our customers pay,” Berris said in an email. “Because the meters provide real-time energy-use data, it helps our customers track, manage and control their energy usage.”

Customers can download the DTE Insight app for iPhones and Androids to track their usage.

“Customers who wish to install the DTE Energy Bridge device receive real-time data (as opposed to delayed data), allowing them to view their energy usage as it occurs.”

The device is a small router that customers have to call to get installed.

“Customers who install the energy bridge and actively use the DTE Insight features are reducing their energy usage by five to 10 percent," she said.

While the new meters will mostly eliminate the need for meter readers to physically visit each home, their jobs will not be eliminated. Berris said the current meter readers are now performing other jobs within the company.

Many customers in Algonac, Fort Gratiot, Marine City, Marysville, Port Huron and St. Clair have already received new meters.

As of Dec. 31, 32,242 meters have been installed in St. Clair County. New meters will be installed for every customer in St. Clair County, unless they opt out.

Berris said so far less than one percent of customers have opted out of the new meters.

“Customers who opt out will not be able to use the InSight app to track usage,” Berris said. “To offset the added cost to DTE, those customers are required to pay a $67.20 initial, one-time fee to install a non-transmitting advanced meter and a $9.90 monthly charge for manual meter reading and related services.”

Those using the new meters will benefit from the outage notification feature, which more quickly alerts DTE to exactly which homes are without power.

For those who have not yet received a new meter, a letter will be mailed informing of when the meter replacement will take place.

Berris said all meters in St. Clair County should be installed by the end of March.

Customers who would like more information or to opt out of the new meters can call (800) 477-4747.

Contact Nicole Hayden at (810) 989-6279 or nhayden@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleHayden_TH.